Intro: Duane Chapman alias “DOG the Bounty Hunter”
In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus is talking to the disciples here in reference to Vs. 1. Then He gives them and us a warning in vs. 6-9, as bounty hunters we need to hold fast to the truths found in these 5 verses.
I. A Bounty Hunter must know who they are looking for - Vs. 10-11 – Jesus tells us He came to save those who are lost. To find someone we need to know something about them.
A. What have they told you about their beliefs? – Have you asked them questions to see
if they are believers? This is nothing to be ashamed of, if you don’t ask you don’t know.
B. Did they grow up in a Christian home? – Were they raised in a Christian home? Paul tells us Timothy was in 2 Timothy 1:5 – “when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and I am persuaded is in you also.”
C. Do they believe in God? – Yes or No, there is no “I’m sure there is a higher being” it’s yes I do or no I don’t and that’s it.
D. Do you know who you are searching for today? - Vs. 11 - People are searching
for something in the world and we have it folks, it’s the Good News. We must search for those who are searching and share the Good News with them.
II. A Bounty Hunter searches diligently for the lost person – Vs. 12 - Jesus tells us that we must go out and seek those who are lost. We have to seek them, but Jesus knows where they are.
A. Knock on their door – What do you do when you go visit a friend’s house? You knock right. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he
with Me”
B. Call them on the phone – Sometimes you call them to see where they are
C. Search high & low – You may have to go to some places or areas of town that you do not feel comfortable being in. Jesus tells us that we must search high and low for the person who went astray or is lost.
III. A Bounty Hunter finds who they are looking for - Vs. 13-14 – Jesus tells us that when the lost is found there is rejoicing.
A. We rejoice when the lost come home -
B. The lost is found – “I once was lost but now I’m found”
C. It is God’s desire for all to be saved – Vs. 14
Conclusion: “DOG the Bounty hunter”
The DOG don’t find everyone he looks for, but he never gives up. As Bounty hunters for the Lord we are never to give up in our search for those who are lost.
